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Fresno City Council adopts new rules for ‘smoke shops,’ creates conditional-use process
Summary
The Fresno City Council approved a text amendment to the citywide development code that requires existing and new specialty tobacco and vapor retailers to obtain conditional-use permits (CUPs). Supporters said the measure gives the city an enforcement tool; critics called for alternative licensing models and more time.
The Fresno City Council voted to adopt a text amendment to the citywide development code requiring a conditional-use permit for specialty tobacco and vapor retailers commonly called “smoke shops,” the council announced following its April 25 meeting.
Supporters said the CUP process gives code enforcement and police a stronger enforcement mechanism to revoke or shut down stores that repeatedly sell illegal products or otherwise harm neighborhoods. Opponents and some business owners said the CUP fee and timeline are burdensome, urged a tobacco-retail licensing alternative and asked the council to allow more time for study.
Councilmember Annalisa Perea and other sponsors framed the change as a public-safety and neighborhood-revitalization tool. “The CUP is really the crux,” Councilmember Esparza said during the debate, arguing the permit is the “off switch” the city lacks now to stop chronic violators. Councilmember Brandon Vang said he had “enough information to make an informed decision” and supported moving forward.
The ordinance creates a pathway for the city to require a CUP for smoke shops, sets standards for revocation tied to…
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